Check-writing machine.



W. J. FABIAN.

CHECK WRITING MACHINE,-

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 13. 1915.

1,248,096. Patented Nov. 27, 1917.

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.J. FABIAN.

CHECK WRITING MACHINE.

APPLHIATION FILED FEB-13.1915- Patented Nov. 27, 1917.

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W. J. FABIAN.

CHECK WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I3. I9I5.

Patented Nov. 27, 1917.

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CHECK WRITING'MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED 513 915. 1,248,096. Patented Nov. .27, 1917.

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W. J. FABIAN. CHECK wmnuc MACHINE. APPUCATION FILED FEB. 13 1915.

1 ,248,096. Patented Nov. 2?; 191% H SHEETS-SHEET 5.

W. J. FABIAN.

CHECK WRITING MACHINE.

, APPLRCATION FILED 8.13.1915. 1,248,096. Patented Nov. 27,1917.

W. J. FABIAN.

CHECK WRITING MACHINE? APPUCATIQN FILED FEB- \3 i915- Patented Nov. 27, 1917.,

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W. J. FABIAN.

CHECK WRITING MACHINE.

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APPLICA ION m: 1 Patented Nov. 27 1917.

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W. J. FABIAN.

CHECK WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB- 13. 1915.

1 ,248,096. Patented Nov. 27, 1917..

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CHECK WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB-13,1915.

1 ,248,096 Patented Nov. 27, 1917.

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APPLICATION FILED FEB-13,1915.

7 ll 91 1-! Z: 8 Wu W m I m P ELEVEN THWSMQONE HUNDREDQ l v *TWD D UOlLlRS 1110206 RICHARD R0: llhiliflINIDIIQNIIIIhINhIKIITHIRTEENR JONLLARS "UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM J. FABIAN, OF EVANSTON, ILLINOIS.

CHECK-WRITING MACHINE.

Application filed February 13, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WVILLIAM J. FABIAN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Evanston, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Check-WVriting Machines, of which the following is a specification, and which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

The invention relates to apparatus for writing amounts in both words and figures by the operation of a single set of keys, and for indicating the sum of the amounts so expressed. The object of the invention is to provide a machine which may be conveniently employed for writing checks or drafts and for showing the sum of .the amounts of the checks or drafts written. The invention accordingly contemplates apparatus of the kind indicated and the association of the same with typewriting mechanism and totaling mechanism whereby to completely perform all of the operations of writing a large number of checks or drafts, as in making up a pay roll or a set of drafts upon customers, extending over a given period of business, and of adding together the amounts of the whole or any partial number of the checks or drafts so written.

In the accompanying d awings,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a check writing machine embodying the features of improvement provided by the invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the same, the plane of the section being indicated by the line 22 of Fig. 3,

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a detail plan view with parts of the case and frame work shown in section and with the cover of the case and certain of the operative parts which are located neXt below the cover, removed,

Fig. 5, is a face view showing a form of type sectors which may be employed for printing numerical amounts in both words and figures,

Fig. 6 is a detail plan view similar to Fi 4, but showing a different part of the machine,

Fig. 7, is a detail front elevation, partly in section showing parts which may be employed for printing the items of the several checks or drafts upon a separate strip together with the mechanism for adding to- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 27, 1917.

Serial No. 8,083.

gether the amounts of the several items, but with some parts omitted,

Fig. 8 is a side view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 7, some of the parts being shown in section and others being omitted,

Fig. 9 is a detail plan view showing the typewriter carriage and parts associated therewith,

Fig. 10 is a detail front elevation showing apparatus for communicating motion from parts of the word printing mechanism to the corresponding parts of the figure printing mechanism, the type sectors being shown in section,

Fig. 11 is a detail side elevation partly in section showing a form of clutch which may be employed upon the apparatus,

Fig. 12 is a detail sectional view taken on the line l212 of Fig. 6,

Fig. 13 is a detail side elevation showing a form of cam which may be employed for actuating the printing platen and parts associated therewith, the floor of the case and the several shafts being shown in section,

Fig. 1 1 is a detail side elevation of the gear mechanism which is employed for moving the type sectors, the several shafts being shown in section and the plane of the section being indicated by the line 141 1, on I Figs. 17 and 18 are sectional views taken 0 on the lines 1717 and 1818, respectively, of Fig. 3,

Fig. 19 is similar to Fig. 8 but shows the parts omitted from said figure,

Fig. 20 is a plan view showing checks of the form which may be written by the apparatus connected together in a strip,

Figs. 21 and 22, are detail side views of the gear sectors which may be employed for transmitting motion to the item printing and totaling mechanism, and

Fig. 23 is a detail sectional view of the key board.

The drawings are intended to merely illus trate one way in which the several features of the invention may be embodied in an operative machine. As shown, this machine is adapted for writing checks, as 50, 51, (Fig. 20), which are connected together in the form of a continuous strip; for printing the items of the several checks upon another strip, as 52 (Fig. 2), hereafter referred to as the stub record strip; and for showing the total of the amounts of all or any partial number of the checks, either visually, as through a sight opening in the machine case, or by printing the same, when desired, upon the stub record strip 52. For this purpose the machine preferably ineludes a form of typewriter mechanism adapted to print any desired written matter, as the name of the payee, indicated at 53, (Fig. 20). t also includes apparatus for printing the amount 01' a sum of money, in both words and figures, as indicated at 54 and 55, respectively. The items and totals are printed upon the stub record strip 52, in figures only,

The mechanism for printing any written matter upon the check, as the name of the payee indicated at 53 (Fig. 20) is operated from a key board generally designated 56 and shown in F i gs. 1 and 2. This key board comprises a plurality of spring elevated key levers, one of which is shown in detail at 57 (F 9). The mechanism for print ing the amount of the check in both words and figures is operated from a key board which is generally designated 58, and comprises a plurality of plunger keys, as 71.

The several mechanisms are principally inclosed within a case, generally designated 59, the key boards 56 and 58 both appearing upon the top of the case adjacent its forward end. The totaling mechanism is preferably a ranged to show a Visibletotal through a sight opening, as 60. The sight opening is conveniently provided in a panel, as 61, of the top wall of the case at one side of the key board 56. In addition to the panel 61, the top of the case includes a hinged panel or cover 86. The floor of the case is marked 65. The numbers 64;, 88 and 89 indicate the front and the two side walls of the case, respectively. The rear wall 90 or the case extends to and has hinged connection with the cover panel 80, at 91. Side frames 92, 93, rising from the floor 65, within the chamber of the case, provide the principal supporting means for the operating parts.

The stub record strip 52 turns over a platen rolle: which is exposed through an opening 61-} in the front wall 6-1. The strip upon which the checks, as 50, 51, are written, enters and is delivered through slotted openings 66, 67, Fig. 2) in the floor 65. Between the slotted openings 66 and 67, the strip passes through guide tubes indicated at 68 and 69, and turns about a platen roller '70. The guide tubes 68 and 69 are carried by and rise from the floor 65 in such manner as to cover the openings 66 and 67, respectively. The printing of the name and the amount upon each check are accomplished by swinging the platen roller 70 in opposite directions against the type characters of the typewriter mechanism and the amount writing mechanism, hereina'ttte' described.

blost desirably the several mechanisms of he machine are principally actuated by power. For this purpose a driving gear 72 (Fig, 2) is continuously turned by a motor (not shown). To afford convenient connection with the motor, the driving gear 72 may be partially exposed upon the under side of the case 59. As shown, it is journaled in brackets, as 73, which are secured againstthe under side oi the floor 65, and only one of which appears in the drawings. A part ofthe driving gear 72 projects into the chamber of the case through an opening 7 L in the floor 65. A gear 75 within the chamber of the case 59 meshes with the gear 22 and is continuously driven thereby. The gear 75 normally turns loosely upon a shaft 76 which is journaled in and extends between the side frame 92, 93. The shaft 76 is normally stationary but a clutch arm 77 is fixed thereon at one side of the gear 75. The clutch arm 77 carries a pawl '78 and this pawl is adapted to be spring advanced into the path of aseries of studs 79 formed upon the adjacentside face of the gear 75, for operatively connecting the gear 75 and shaft 76.

The typewriter mechanism.

The key levers 57 (Fig. 2) extend rearwardly beneath the hinged panel 80 of the top wall or cover of the case 59. As shown, each lever is pivotally secured to a lug, as 81, which depends from the under side of the panel 80. At its forward edge the panel 80 is provided with an inturned flange 82 having slottedopenings, as 9%, through which the key levers 57 extend.

his desirable that inlieu ot separately printing each letter or figure of the matter to be written, as the name of the payee indicated at52, Fig. 20, the entire matter to be written is first to be set up from type characters, as 95, arranged in a line, and this line of type characters is then to be printed at a single operation. As shown, the type characters are fixed upon the rims of a set of wheel segm ents 83, Fig. 2. The number of wheel segments 83 preferably equals the number of individual letters and spaces which may be contained in the line of writing to be produced and each segment carries an entire set of the type characters 95. The printing of any desired matter is pro vided for rotating the several wheel segments 83 through the proper distance to aline the corresponding type characters in front of the platen 70, Fig. 2. For this purpose, a single actuating arm 84; may be em ployed. In that event, the arm 8-1, extends continuously beneath the rims oi all of the wheel segments 83 and the distance through which each wheel segment is turned by said arm is determined by providing each set oi wheel segments with a series of movable studs 85, any one of which may be depressed into the path of the arm.

The selective depression of the movable studs 85 of the several wheel segments 83 is accomplished by the coaction of the key levers 57 and a traveling communicator carriage, generally designated 86. In order that each of the key levers 57 may coact with the corresponding part of the communicator carriage 86 in any position of the latter, each of the key levers 57 is provided with a transverse arm 87 (Fig. 9) covering the entire travel of the carriage 86.

The communicator carriage 86 travels upon a pair of stationary rods 96, 97, as ways or rails. These rods extend between and are supported upon the side frames 92 and 93. If desired, the carriage 86 may be provided with rollers, as 98, at each end for engagement w'tn the corresponding rod, 96, 97.

For its travel in one direction the communicator carriage 86 is preferably actuated by a spring drum 99 of a form which is well known from its use in actuating the traveling carriage of typewriters. The drum 99 is mounted in a convenient position upon a fixed part of the machine, as the side frame 92. A metallic ribbon 100 which winds upon the drum 99 in a well known manner, connects with the communicator carriage 86.

The movement of the communicator carriage 86 is controlled by an escapement mechanism generally designated 101. This escapement mechanism includes a fixed ratchet bar 103, the ratchet teeth 102 being formed along the upper edge of the bar. The bar 103 extends horizontally bet veen and is secured to the side frames 92 and 93. An arm 10-1 is fixed to the carriage 86 and extends rearwardly therefrom over the bar 103. This arm carries a sliding sleeve 105 and a spring pawl 106 is mounted against the underside of the sleeve 105, for cooperating with the ratchet teeth 102. A fixed stop 107 formed on the sleeve 105 limits the movement of the pawl 106 in one direction. A spring or yielding stop 108 carried by the sleeve 105 limits that movement of the pawl 106 in the other direction which is imparted to the pawl by the pressure of its own spring (not shown).

A stud 109 rigidly mounted on the sleeve 105 also cooperates with the ratchet teeth 102 for controlling the movement of the communicator carriage 86. This stop is so positioned with reference to the pawl 106 that a sliding movement of the sleeve 105 on the arm 10%, in one direction, carries the pawl 106 out of engagement with the ratchet teeth 102, and brings the stud 109 into engagement with the same ratchet tooth from which the pawl is withdrawn. The pawl is then thrown against the yielding stop 108 by its spring (not shown). A return movement of the sleeve 105 on the arm 104; brings the pawl 106 into engagement with the next ratchet tooth 102 and the yielding of the pawl toward the fixed stop 107 permits the spring drum 99 to effect a corresponding advance movement or the carriage. The yielding oi the stop 108 permits the pawl 106 to slide over the ratchet teeth 102 during movement of the communicator carriage 86 in the opposite direction.

The sleeve 105 is reciprocated upon the arm 10 1 at each operation of any one 01 the key levers 5?. in order that the mechanism for effecting this reciprocation o1 the sleeve oe operable in any position of the com mt iicator carria e 86, it acts upon the sleeve 105 through a bar 110, which extends from side to side of the machine frame This bar has a slotted opening 111 and a stud 112 cared by the sleeve 105 travels in the slot. The bar 110 has its opposite ends slidingly connected with the sid frames 92 and 95, respectively, as by set screws 113, each of which extends through a slotted opening 111, in the bar. The bar 110 is shifted by the depression of any one of the key levers through a pair of links 115, 116, which extend forwardly from the bar and connected at their forward ends, by a rod 11?.

'ihe rod 11? extends transversely beneath all of the key levers 57. It is moved rearwardly upon the depression of any one of the key levers by a cam engage 181111 of the key lovers with the rod. The forward ends of the links 115, 116 and the rod 111 are guided in their movements by means of a pci uide LkS 118, 119. Each of these gui one end pivotally connected "it 7 and the other end pi'votally C0111. l ed support, as the rod 9v A sprin 2) reacts be ween one of t e vInks, as 119, and the adjacent si 117 3 to return the rod oved rearwardly by the depression of one of the key levers 5? to accomplish the forward movement of the sleeve 105.

T he return movement of the communicator carriage 36 will usually be accomplished by power, as from the shaft T0. As shown, a grooved cam 121 (Fig. 6) is fixed upon the shaft 76 for this purpose. For communicating motion f om this cam to the carriage, a rock shaft 1 v is pivotally secured against the tloor 65 of the case and carries two crank arms, designated 123 and 12-1 rcspeclively. The crank arm 123 carries a stud 125 which runs in the groove of the cam 121. The other crank arn 12-1 is connected with a sliding pusher 12?, as by a link 126. This pusher runs upon the bar 103, as by being provided with pins 128 which extend through a slotted opening 129 in the bar. A stud 130, mounted on the pusher 12?, extends into the path of a depending part 109 of the sleeve 105. Rotation of the shaft 76 through one complete revolution accordingly moves the pusher 127 to and fro on the bar 103, the stud 1220 coming into contact with a depending pa rt 109, of the sleeve 105, in its movement and effecting a return movement of the con'iniunicator carriage 86 from any intermediate position or the full travel position which "he communicator carriage may have occupied.

111 some instances, as when an error has been made in the depression of the key levers 57, it may be desired to return the communicator carriage 86 by h, nd. For this purpose the arm 10-1- is extended through a slotted opening in the cover panel 80, to a conveniently accessible position (Fig. 1).

The communicator carriage 86 is supplied with movable communicator plungers 183, the number of these plungers being equal to the number of key levers 57, or studs 85, and the number of key levers 5"? and studs being each equal to the number of type characters in any The plungers 133 operate vertically through the communicator carriage S6 and each is normally held in an elevated position by a spring 131-. shown, the plunger-s 133 have stems 135 0 reduced diameter and that part of the carriage 86 through which the plungers operate is composed of a pair of vertically separated rails 123i. The springs 1-3 1 are coiled about t is t he stems loo of the plungers 138 between the rails 186, 13?, and react between the lower rail, as 136, and the enlargedhead, as 138, of the corresponding plunger.

Depression of any one of the key levers 57 accordingly causes its ansverse arm 87 to engage and depress the corresponding communicator plunger 133 in any position of the communicator carriage 86. The depression of one the communicator plungers 133 in turn serves to depress the corresponding stud 85 i.-

particular one of the wheel segments with which the con municator carria e at the time, alined. 1t will he understood hat the key-board 56 includes, in addition to the key levers 57, a space bar 139 carried by levers, as 110, like the key levers 57, but without the transverse arm 87 and operable only upon the rod 117.

The alinement of the type characters in front of the platen 70, in accordance with the operation of tie key levers 5'? and space bar 139 of the key board 56, is accomplished by a swinging movement of the arm 84: to the right, as viewed in Fig. 2. 1f the alinement of the type characters is to be merely for the purpose of showing whether .or not the key board 56 has been correctly used to obtain the desired selection of type characters, the swinging of the arm 84: is preferably accomplished by hand. If, on the other hand, the alinement of type characters is for the purpose of printing the desired matter, as the name 53 on the check 50 (Fig. 20), the arm 81 is desirably moved by power. In either case the arm 81 engages those studs 85 which have been depressed and alines them against a fixed stop arm 1 1-1. On the return movement of the arm the type characters 95 are returned to their original positions. This is accomplished by the engagement of the arm 81 with a spoke, as 1 12, of each of the wheel segments 83. The fixed stop arm is connected to the side frames 92, 93, at its opposite ends and extends through the wheel segments 83.

The swinging movement of the arm by hand is accomplished by rotating a shaft 1 773. This shaft also serves for supporting the several wheel segments 83, but the wheel. segments are loosely pivoted upon the shaft to permit the shaft to rotate independently of the wheel segments. its shown, the shaft 1-13 extends from side to side of the machine, and is journaled in the side frames 92 and A pair of cranks 1&4: (Fig. 12) and 1 15 (Fig. are pivoted upon the shaft 1&8 adjacent its opposite ends, and carry the arm 8 Tn the power movement of the arm S-lthe cranks 1-11- aud 1-15 turn indepei'ideutly of the shaft 1 13. This movement of the arm is conveniently accomplished through a plate cam 1-1-6. The cam 14:6 is fixed upon the shaft 76. A link 11-? serves for communieating motion from the cam 11-0 to the crank 115. As shown, the link 1 is supplied with a roller 1 18 at its lower end, and this roller runs in a cam groove 1 19 (Fig. 2) which is follied in one of th side faces of the plate cam Lid. 1-; second link 150 is employed for guiding the movement of the lower end of the link 1-1;. The link 150 is pivotally counectcd with the lower end of the link 11-? one end. The other end of the link 150 is pivotally mounted upon a tie rod 151 (Figs. 1 and 6) of the machine frame. The higher end of the link 1 17 is operatively connected with a crank arm 152 which is formed integral with the crank arm 11-5 (Fig. 6). To permit the crank arm 152 to swing without movement of the link 1-17, as when the type characters o5 are to be alined for examination, the higher end portion of the link 1t? is formed with a slotted opening 153. The upper end of this slotted opening is rearwardly ofl set, as at 151 (Fig. A stud 155, lined in the crank arm 152, enters the slotted opening 158. Normally the stud 155 is engaged with the rearwardly offset portion 151 of this slotted openin Under these circumstances, the vertical reciprocation of the link 147, effected by the cam 146, serves to impart the required movement to the arm 84 in both directions. Preferably the cam groove 149 (Fig. 2) is so shaped as to obtain the complete movement of the arm 84 in one direction, during the first quarter revolution of the plate cam 146, after which the arm 84 is held stationary during a half revolution of the cam. The return movement of the arm 84 is completely accomplished during the last quarter revolution of the cam.

A crank arm 156 (Figs. 1, 6 and 12) pref erably exposed upon the outside of the case 59, serves for moving the arm 84, by hand. As shown, this crank arm is mounted upon a short shaft 157. This shaft is journaled in the side frame 92 (Fig. 12), above the shaft 143, and extends through an opening 158 in the side wall 88 of the case, for receiving said crank. A pinion 159 is fixed upon the inner end of the shaft 157 and meshes with a pinion 160 which is fixed upon the shaft 143.

For communicating motion from the shaft 143 to the arm 84, the hub, as 161, of the crank arm 144 and the hub 162 of the pinion 160 are located side by side upon the shaft 143 and a stud 163 projects laterally from the former into an elongated recess 164, formed in the latter. The normal position of the stud 163 in the elongated recess 164 is such that during the initial movement of the shaft 143 by hand, the shaft 143 turns without moving the cranks 144, 145 and 152 and that during the movement of the cranks 144, 145 and 152 by power, these cranks move without turning the shaft. A spring 165, (Fig. 12) is preferably provided to insure a return of the parts to a normal position after each operation of the crank 156. As shown, this spring is coiled about the shaft 157 and reacts between the crank arm 156 and the side frame 92. A stud 166, formed upon a iub 167, which is fixed upon the shaft 143 adjacent to but independently of the crank arms 145 and 152, serves to engage the link 147 and move the latter rearwardly by a cam action upon the initial movement of the shaft 143 by hand, to disengage the stud 155 from the rearwardly offset portion 154 of the slotted opening 153, before the crank arm 152 begins to move with the shaft.

The studs 85 which have been depressed by the operation of the key levers 57 are most conveniently returned when alined against the stop arm 141. If this alinement of the studs has been manually ac complished by the use of the hand crank 156, the studs will only be returned in event it is found that an error has been made in the use of the keyboard 56. In this case, the return of the studs is preferably accomplished by hand. For this purpose an erasing key 168 (Fig. 1) is preferably provided. As shown, this key is exposed upon top of the case 59 at one side of the key board 56. It slides through the panel 61 of the top wall of the case and is connected at its lower end with a lever 169, (Fig. 2). The lever 169 is fulcrumed on the side frame 93, as at 170. Depression of the erasing key 168 serves to lift a restoring bar 171 which extends beneath the studs 85 when alined against the stop arm 141. The restoring bar 171 is supported at its opposite ends by short cranks 172, each of which is pivotally mounted upon the corresponding side frame 92, 93, as at 17 3, but only one of which is shown. A link 174 is connected with one of the cranks 172 and extends downwardly therefrom. A stud 175 is fixed in the link 174 intermediate its ends and projects over the adjacent end of the lever 169 to provide for the elevation of the restoring bar 171 by the depression of the erasing key 168.

In the normal operation of the machine the link 174 is actuated by power to raise the restoring bar 17] after printing has been accomplished from the selected type characters 95 by a movement of the platen toward the wheel segments 83. For this purpose the lower end of the link 174 is engaged with the plate cam 146, as by being provided with an antifriction roller 176 which rides upon the rim of the cam. A projection 17 7 formed on the rim of the plate cam 146 serves to engage the roller 176 for raising the link 17 4 and the restoring bar 171 at a predetermined time in the rotation of. the shaft 76. As shown, the projection 177 is so positioned on the plate cam 146 that the restoration of the studs 85 is accomplished just before the return movement of the arm 84, by the cam groove 149, is begun. The link 17 4 is guidedly supported adjacent its lower end in any convenient manner as by means of a swinging link 178 which has one end connected with the link 174, and the other end pivotally mounted upon the tie rod 151.

The arrangement of the type characters 95 in accordance with operations of the key levers 57 and space bar 139 of the key board 56 is visibly displayed through a slotted sight opening 179 in the cover panel 61 of the case 59. For this purpose a plurality of sets of intermeshing gears 180, 181, 182 and 183, equal in number to the number of wheel segments 83, but only one set of which is shown, are provided. All of these gears are rotatably mounted upon tie rods 184, 185 and 186 which extend between and are supported upon the side frames 92 and 93. The teeth of the gear 180 engage notches 187 formed in the rim of the'corresponding wheel segment 83 and some of which are located between adjacent type characters 95. The gear 181 is fixed against the gear 180 to-rotate therewith and the rotation of these gears in accordance with the selective rotation of the corresponding wheel segment 83 is communicated to the gear 183 through the intermediate gear 182. The gear 183 is located adjacent the sight'opening 179. F or the purpose of indicating the position of the corresponding wheel segment 83, a letter Wheel 1823*, having suitable characters (not shown), of the same kind, and arranged in the same order as the type characters 95, provided upon its rim, is secured against each of the gears 183, and rotates therewith.

An examination of the characters displayed upon the letter wheels 188 through the sight opening 179 (Fig. 2), after the Wheel segments'83 have been move-dby the actuating arm 841 in accordance with the operation of the key levers 57 and space bar 139 of the key board 56, serves to show whether the said key levers and space bar have been correctly operated to produce the desired written matter, as the name 58 (Fig. 20) upon the check, as 50. In event the movement of the actuating arm 84t'has been accomplished by hand, through the use of the crank 156, and it isfound that an error has been committed in the use of the key board 56, the erasing key 168 (Figs. 1 and 2) will be operated before the crank 156 is released, thereby elevating the restoring bar 171 against those studs85 which have been depressed while the studs are alined againstthe stop arm ll-l. The hand crank156 may be then released and ifthe end of the arm 10-1 which projects through the slotted opening 132 of the hinged cover panel 20 (Figs. 1 and 2) be used for'restoring the communicator earriage86, to its original position, the use of the key board 50 may be'repeated for the purpose'of obtaining 'a correct aline ment of the type characters.

The amount writing mechanism.

The types for printing the amount of the check in both words, as 541, and figures, as 55 (Fig. 20) may be arranged in accordance with the plan illustrated in Fig. 5. As shown, these typesare principally mounted upon the rims of plurality of wheel seg ments generally indicated'by the numerals 188 to 201 inclusive. Inthe'machine which is hereused as'an-illustration, provision is made for printing amounts includingthe first two decimals and any number of dollars up to 9,999. In this case there are fourteen of the said wheel segments. Five of the wheel segments, as those designated 188, 189, 190, 191 and 192 are arranged for printing the number of dollars in words. Each of thesewheel segments accordingly has a relatively wide type bearing rim, as 202, andthesame is supported against the edges ofa pair of plates-or disks, as

and 204; The wheel segments designated by the numerals 193 to 201 inclusive, only used for printing figures. Each of these last mentioned wheel segments accordingly includes a relatively narrow type bearing rim, as 205, and this rim is mounted upon the edge of a single plate or disk 206.

All of the wheel segments, 188 to 201 inclusive, are rotatably mounted in alinement upon a shaft 20? (Figs. 2 and 3) with the type bearing rims, as 202 and 205, facing the platen roller 70. In order that the shaft 207 may support the several wheel segments for printing, it is preferably of stout construction. is shown, it extends between, and has its ends rigidly liXed in. the side frames 92 and 93. In arranging the types for printing any desired amount in both words and figures the several wheel segments are rotated through selected variable angular distances. This selection of the angular distances through which the wheel segments are to be rotated is accomplished by the use of the key board 58.

The keyboard 58 includes a plurality of sets of keys generally designated by the numerals 208 to 21% inclusive, the same being equal in number to the number of figures in the amount containing the greatest number of figures which may be written. There are also two additional sets of keys generally designated 215 and 216, respectively. The keys of these two last mentioned sets are respectively operated only when the amounts to be written include a number of dollars, or a number of thousands of dollars, extending between eleven and nineteen inclusive. The use of these two additional sets of keys arises from the fact that the word ten is not used as the initial part of the names of the numbers from eleven to nineteen but the first syllables of the names of all of these numbers are different. Similarly, a number of type characters for printing the syllable teen must appear on each the wheel segments 188 and 191 in order that one of these type characters may correspond in position with the type character for printing each of the numbers 8, 1, 5, (3, 7, 8, and 9 on the wheel segments 195 or 198 (Fig.

All of the keys of the key board 58 are spring elevated and preferably take the form of Vertically movable plungers having stems, as 217 3), with the elevating spring, as 355, coiled about the stem. The stems 217 of the keys slide through the cover panel 61 of the ease and through a plate 218 within tne case. The plate 218 is supported below and spaced apart from the cover panel 61, as by flanges 219 and 220 which depend from the said cover panel. The stems of the keys are operable upon movable studs, 283 3) carried by those wheel segments which are designated by the numbers 188 to 191 in elusive (Fig. 5). The positioning of these studs determines the amdunt of angular movement to be imparted to the wheel segments by which they are respectively carried. Each of the wheel segments designated by the numbers 195 to 201 inclusive has movement transmitted to it from the corresponding segment 188 to 191. The wheel segments 195 to 201 are accordingly not provided with movable studs. The studs 232 are carried by the wheel segments 188, 189, 190, 191 and 192 having the relatively wide type bearing rims 202. These studs are accordingly bifurcated, their sepa rated legs 360, 361 (Fig. 3) sliding through the rim of the corresponding wheel segment adjacent its opposite edges. The studs 233 are carried by the wheel segments 193 and 194 and slide centrally through the rim of the corresponding wheel segment.

In order that the keys may be compactly arranged in the key board 58 while still permitting the stems 217 to cooperate with the proper studs 232, 233, the stems 217 of some of the keys 209, 210, 211, 212, 213 and 214, have ofi'set portions 221 intermediate their ends, most clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The keys of the two sets which are designated 215 and 216, on Fig. 1, are each operable upon the studs 232 of a pair of adjacent wheel segments, as 188 and 189, or 191 and 192. To this end the stems 217 of the keys of these sets are bifurcated as indicated at 222 (Fig. 2), the two elements, as 223 and 2241, of the bifurcated part each stem, as the stem of either one of the keys marked 15 (Fig. 1), being offset and operable through the plate 218 in alinement respectively with the studs 232 oi? the wheel segments 189 or 192, which corresponds with the type character fit (Fig. 5), and which the stud 232 of the wheel segment 188 or 191 which corresponds with the type character teen alined with the type char acter 5 on the wheel segment 195 or 198.

Each or" the Wheel segments 188, 189, 190, 191 and 192 is desirably provided with type 230 (Fig. 5) constructed to print stars, or other characters for filling a blank, when no words are to be printed therefrom. Similarly, the wheel segments 193 and 19% are each provided with type 231 constructed to print a cipher when no numerals are to be printed in the columns to which these segments respectively relate. Preferably the type 230 and 231 are so arranged upon the corresponding wheel segments as to be presented to the platen without movement of the segments. Each of the several wheel segments 188 to 19st inclusive is 210 cordingly only required to be provided with a number of studs 232 or 233 which is equal to the number of characters other than the stars 230 or cipher 231 to be printed from the corresponding segment. The Wheel seg ments 190, 193 and 191 each have nine additional type characters, as 234.- and 235. These segments therefore each require only nine of the studs 232 or These nine type charact 23% or and studs 232 or respectively correspond with the number of keys in the sets which are generally gnated 210, and 21 1- on Fig. 1. Each of the wheel segments 188 and 191 has nine word type characters 236, constructed to print the words one to nine inclusive, and in addition nine other type characters 23?, which, in conjunction with on the adjacent .92

nine type characters The wheel segments 189 and 192, also, each have a conset 208, or 210. Similarly nine ot' the studs of each of the wheel segments 189 and 192, "orrcspondmg with the nine type charl) L J. V r

a tors 239 are controlled by rho single stems e se ial kcvs oi the corres 'icndmg set The remai ing nine plungers n he wheel segm nts, 188 and 189, a o

' with the type characters lively are controlled in pairs, pliuiger of each wheel seg- :wo elements and 2 of stems of the several keys 01 Similarly the rel i L r f snared 21o.

. 3 2 of the wheel segments 191 and 192 are controlled in pairs comprising one plu of each wheel segment by the two e e and 221- of the bifurcated stei s t designated e wheel segments designated. 188 to inclusive are successively moved in accorcance with the setting 01 the studs 232, by the repeated oscillations of a swinging actuating arm 210, he 'eafter referred to as or, an. the direct engagement of this driver w ith tie said studs of the several. scgn'ients in turn. Each ot the i l c ments 195 to 201 is moved with the corresponding one of the segments 188 to 194: through being, at the time, connected therewith by a morable follower arm 281, hereret crrcd to as the tra smitter. lt is accordingly desirable that some type characters be repeated on certain of the wheel segments 195 to 201. The numeral characters designated 241, each appear twice on each of the wheel segments and 198 tor the reason that each of these characters appears hoth in the ninnhers ne nine and.

in the numbers eleven to nineteen, and is used in connection with different words in the two instances. Similarly the type character 2 12 used for printing the figure 1 appears ten times on each of the wheel segments 196 and 199 for the reason that it appears in each of the numbers ten to nineteen inclusive and is used in connection with a different word in each instance.

The dri r 240 is supported in two cranks 2%.- and both of which swing upon the shaft 207. it engages the studs 232 or 283 of the wheel segments 188 to 194, successively, be inning at the right, as viewed in Fi v hen there are seven of these wheel segi'ne ts, as shown, seven oscillations of the driver 2al0 are required to move all of the segments. The separate engagement of the driver with the studs 232, 238 of t 1e several wheel segments is accomplished by provid ing the driver 240 with a plurality of spurs 243. These spurs are so spaced as to be alined with the studs or of only one wheel segment in any position which he driver assumes. The spacing of the spurs 248 is further arranged to provide that these spurs re brought successively into alinement with the studs 282, of the several wheel segments by a uniform longitudinal step by step movement of the driver. These longitudinal movements of the dri er occur after each complete oscillation, except the last.

F or permitting the required movements of the driver 2 10 it is slidingly engaged with the crank 2&5, and this crank is, in turn, fixed against longitudinal movement on the shaft 207. The crank 24: 1 is fixedly connected with the driver and has a longituc inal sliding movement on the shaft 207. The two movements of the drive. 240 are accord ingly accomplished by swinging the crank 245 and moving the crank 2 1st along the shaft 20?. These movements are repeated the required number of times by being derived from a shaft 2 1'? which has seven revolutions each operation of the machine. A cam plate 2 1" o, mounted on the shaft 247, serves for swinging the crank 2 15. The shaft 2%? extends between and is journaled at its opposite ends in the side frames 92, 93, as most clearly shown in Fig. 3. The cam plate 2 1-6 operates upon the crank 24 through an intermediate crank The crank 2 1-8 is p' otally supported upon a tie rod 249 of the machine frame and carries a cam roller 250. This cam roller runs in a cam groove 251 formed in a side face of the cam plate 2 16. A link 252 serves for connecting the intermediate crank 248 with an integral arm 258 of the crank 2 15.

A screw shaft 25% is employed for moving the crank i l along the shaft 207 to shift the driver 240 after each complete oscillation of the crank 245. As shown, the screw shaft 25% is fixed to the crank 244: at 258 and extends outwardly therefrom. This screw shaft has a pair of separated fixed sliding supports 255 and 256. The supports may be provided in any convenient manner as by being formed upon a bracket arm 257. As shown, this bracket arm is secured against and projects inwardly from the side frame geared nut runs on the screw shaft -o-l between the supports 255 and 256. The longitudinal movement of the screw shaft. 2.3-l and the accompanying shifting of the driver 210 is accomplished by a repeated rotation of the nut 25 at predetermined intervals. or this purpose a gear segment 260 is fixed upon the shaft 2&7, and intern'iittently engages the geared nut 259 during the seven successive revolutions of the shaft. The transmitter 261 is most clearly shown in Fig. 10. It is mounted in cranks 262 and 263 in the same manner that the actuating arm 210 is mounted in the cranks 2-14 and 245, respectively. Furthermore, the cranks 262 and 263, like the cranks 24 1- and 2 15, are swiugingly mounted upon the shaft 207, "he crank being fixed against longitudinal movement thereon and the crank 263 being slidable on the shaft.

Each of the wheel segments 188 to 19 1- inclusive has a forwardly facing instanding rigid stud 26-1 for engagement with spurs, as 261' of the transmitter 261. lVhenever one of the wheel segments 188 to 19 is moved through a selected angular distance the transmitter 261 is accordingly moved through a like distance. For communicating this movement to the wheel segments 195 to 201 a rearwardly facing yielding pawl 265 (Fig. is mounted upon each of the last mentioned wheel segments. These pawls are successively engaged by a single spur 263 formed upon the transmitter. Furthermore, the spurs 26? are so positioned on the transmitter as to cause it to be successively engaged with the wheel segments 188 to 19 1, beginning at the right, as viewed in F 10. in the position shown in Fig. 10, one of the spurs 267 is engaged with the forwardly facing rigid stud 264: of the wheel segment 193 and the single spur 266 is in alinement with the rearwardly facing yielding pawl 2"?) wheel segment 200. Upon the nent movement of the transmitter 261 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 10. one of the spurs will register with the stud 26stof the wl eel segment 19%- and the spur 266 will come into alinement with the yielding pawl 265 of the wheel segment 201.

The longitudinal movements of the transmitter prercrably occur after each forward movement of the same and before its return movement. This shifting is accomplished by a mechanism similar to that employed for shifting the driver 240. As shown, a screw shaft 268 is fixedly attached to the crank ti e 263, at 269, and extends outwardly therefrom along side of the screw shaft 254. It slides through the same fixed supports 255, 256, which are provided for the screw shaft 254. A. geared nut 270 runs on the screw shaft 268 between these support-s. This nut is intermittently engaged by a gear segment 271, fixed upon the shaft 247. Thepositioning of the gear segments 260 and 271 on the shaft 247, with reference to the form ofthe cam 246, provides for the longitudinally shifting of the driver 240, after each complete oscillation of the crank 245, and for the shifting of the transmitter 261 after each forward movement of the crank 245, but before its return movement. The return movements of the transmitter 261 are accomplished by the return movements of the crank arm 245. For this purpose a lug 272 is formed upon the hub, as 273, of the crank 245 and enters an angula-rly elongated recess 274 provided in the hub, as 275, of the crank 262.

The return movements of the driver 240 and transmitter 261, in the direction of their length, are accomplished by reversely driving the geared nuts 259 and 270. This is accomplished by the engagement of the geared nuts with a segmental gear 27 6 (Figs. 3 and 14), which is loosely mounted on the shaft 247. The segmental gear 276 is driven at intervals, as from a shaft 277, Fig. 3, which extends between and is journaled in the side frames 92, 93, below the shaft 247. As shown, a pinion 278 is rigidly connected with the segmental gear 276 and this pinion in engaged at intervals by a gear segment 279 which is fixed upon the shaft 277. If desired, a Geneva stop mechanism may be employed for holding the gear 27 6 and pinion 278 against rotation except when the pinion is engaged with the gear segment 27 9. As shown, the shoe 280 of this Geneva stop mechanism is carried by the pinion 278 and the mutilated disk 281, for engagement with the shoe, is mounted upon the shaft 277 adjacent I the gear segment 279 and rotates therewith. Similarly Geneva stop mechanisms may be employed for holding the geared nuts 259 and 270 against movement except when the same are to be rotated. As shown, the shoe elements 282 and 283 of these mechanisms are formed upon the geared nuts 259 and 270 respectively. These shoes are respectively engaged with the curved rims of disk segments 284 and 285 which are mounted upon the shaft 247 and rotate therewith.

Provision for printing the check with the appropriate one of the words cents or dollars is preferably provided. As most clearly shown in Fig. 5, the type characters 286 and 287 for printing these words are formed upon a movable plate 288. This plate is conveniently supported in front of the platen by being mounted upon the outer end of a crank arm 289 (Fig. 2) which extends outwardly from and is journaled on the shaft 207 between the wheel segments 193 and 199. Similarly movable plates 290 and 291 bearing the type char-- acters 292 and 293 for printing the words hundred and thousand are located between the wheel segments 189 and 190 and 190 and 191, respectively. These two last mentioned movable plates are mounted upon crank arms, as 294 and 295. The crank arm 294, like the crank arm 289 extends outwardly from and is journaled upon the shaft 207. To provide room for other parts the crank arm 295 (Fig. 3) is preferably shorter than the crank arms 289 and 294. As shown it is pivotally mounted upon the higher end of a post 370 which rises from the tie rod 249.

The movable plate 288 is normally so positioned as to present the type character 286 for printing the word cents to the platen 70. Its position is shifted to present the type character 287 for printing the word dollars to the platen Whenever any wheel segment to the right (Fig. 5) is moved. Similarly the movable plates 290 and 291 are normally so positioned as to present type characters 296 and 297 for filling a blank, as by printing stars, to the platen 70. The plate 290 is shifted to present the type character 292 for printing the word hundred to the platen 70 whenever the wheel segment 190 is moved. On the other hand the plate 291 is shifted to present the type character 293 for printing the word thousand to the platen 70 whenever the wheel segment 191 or 192 is moved.

In event the amount of the check is less than ten cents, only the wheel segments 193 and 200 will be moved. Under these circumstances it is desirable that a cipher be printed from each of the wheel segments 195 and 201 and a dollar sign printed from the wheel se ment 196. That is to say, if the amount of the check is nine cents the printing should be $0.09. To this end the wheel segments 195 and 201 are each supplied with a type character 298 for printing a cipher and the wheel segment 196 is provided with a type character 299 for printing a dollar sign. all of which are normally presented to the platen 7 0.

The dollar sign should be printed from each of the wheel segments 197, 198 and 199 only when the amount of the check is such as to begin with a figure which is printed from the wheel segment next to the left, as viewed in Fig. 5. Similarly a dollar sign should be printed from a position next to the right of the wheel segment 199, as viewed in Fig. 5, when the amount of the check is represented by a number which begins with a figure to be printed from the 

